Automatic fault tree construction via component and feature based modelling

This paper introduces some techniques to be used for system representation in order to aid automatic fault tree synthesis. Extensive input-output tables are introduced which model behavior of components in their normal state and in different failed states. These tables are stored in a component library for ease of access. A library, called the mark library, is also introduced to deal with complex features encountered in aeronautical and automotive systems such as control loops or component redundancies. The top event specification is required by the user which can be inputted in different formats depending on the failure mode of interest. In order to demonstrate this methodology, it is applied to an automotive emission control system, and a fault tree is generated following the methodology detailed in this paper.